Otoplasty
Do your ears make you feel self-conscious? Ear pinning offers dramatic, near-immediate results for patients of all ages — enhancing appearance and boosting confidence.
No other facial feature seems quite as obvious as protruding ears, especially on young children. Dr. Robinson recommends otoplasty — cosmetic ear surgery or ear pinning — to patients of any age whose ears appear misshapen or protrude significantly, to correct the abnormality and increase confidence and self-esteem.
Otoplasty can make ears more symmetrical; improve natural position, shape, or proportion; correct structural birth defects; and repair tears or distortions caused by injury. It’s performed on adults and children whose ears have grown to full size, usually around age five or six.
Dr. Ernest B. Robinson is a Board Certified Specialist with more than 20 years of experience performing cosmetic and corrective otoplasty for patients from Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Laguna Hills and Santa Ana and beyond.
Reposition protruding or overly prominent ears closer to the head
Create symmetry between both ears for a balanced appearance
Improve the natural position, shape, and proportion of the ear
Correct structural birth defects of the outer ear
Repair tears or distortions of the ear caused by injury
Boost self-confidence with near-immediate visible results
Prior to surgery, Dr. Robinson will take your medical history, examine the structure of your ears, and discuss your desired outcome — whether cosmetic, reconstructive, or both. He’ll review realistic expectations, describe the surgical technique he recommends, and answer any questions you may have. To create a symmetrical appearance, he may suggest surgery on both ears even if only one appears to need adjusting.
Performed on children whose ears have grown to full size — usually around age 5 or 6. General anesthesia is used for the youngest patients to ensure comfort and safety throughout.
Adults benefit from the same proven results. Local anesthesia with a mild sedative makes this a comfortable, relatively straightforward outpatient procedure.
Cosmetic ear procedures usually take one to two hours and are performed at Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery or Pacific Hills Surgery Center. Local anesthesia with mild sedation is used for older children and adults; general anesthesia is used for the youngest patients.
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Older children and adults receive local anesthesia with a mild sedative; younger children receive general anesthesia for their complete safety and comfort. Duration is typically one to two hours.
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Dr. Robinson makes an incision behind the ear in the natural fold where it joins the head — a location that keeps any scarring completely hidden from view once healed.
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Any unnecessary cartilage or skin is carefully removed. He then re-sculpts and adjusts the position of the ear cartilage to achieve a natural look — bringing the ear closer to the head and improving shape and symmetry.
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The repositioned cartilage is secured with permanent internal stitches to hold its new position as it heals. The incision is closed and a protective dressing is applied to support the ears during recovery.
Dr. Robinson will place protective dressing over your ears, worn for a few weeks to keep them properly positioned. For added protection, some patients wear a headband over their ears at night. Avoid sleeping on your side until you can comfortably put pressure on your ears — usually after about a week. It’s normal for the sides of your face to feel tender in the first 24 hours, easily controlled with mild pain medication.
Protective DressingWorn for a few weeks to keep ears correctly positioned while healing.
Nighttime HeadbandSome patients wear a headband over the ears at night for added support.
Avoid Side SleepingSleep on your back for about a week until you can put pressure on the ears.
Mild Pain ReliefTenderness in the first 24 hours is easily managed with prescribed medication.
First 24 Hours
Tenderness and mild swelling are normal. Rest with head elevated; mild pain medication manages discomfort. Protective dressing in place.
Day 4–5
Cleared to resume normal daily activities. Swelling and tenderness reduce. Avoid side-sleeping; continue any prescribed nighttime headband.
Week 1
Can comfortably put pressure on ears when lying down. Moderate exercise may be cleared by Dr. Robinson.
Weeks 2–3
Protective dressing removed. Scars behind the ears are barely visible and continue to fade. Dramatic results clearly apparent.
Several Weeks+
Strenuous activity safely resumed. Hidden scars are nearly imperceptible. Full, natural-looking final result enjoyed.
You will see the dramatic results of your ear surgery as soon as the protective dressing is removed. Cosmetic ear surgery has no impact whatsoever on your hearing, and because your ears are repositioned closer to your head, the hidden surgical scars behind them are barely visible after just a few weeks. The results are both immediate and long-lasting — giving patients of all ages a renewed sense of confidence and a more naturally balanced appearance.
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Contact Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery in Aliso Viejo to request a consultation with Dr. Robinson.
